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Jonathan Larkin: The Exit Interview
The Jackson Public Schools Board that Jonathan Larkin served on for almost eight years is a far cry from the board's current, collegial incarnation. Larkin, 55, served from 2002 until this spring, when Monica Gilmore-Love replaced him.
Easy On Community Colleges?
In a budget proposal that suggested drastic consolidation of the state's K-12 school districts and public universities, Gov. Haley Barbour was noticeably less adamant about changes to the state's community college system.
Speed to Turn Over Property, Calls Ethics Issue ‘Moot'
Jackson businessman and Levee Board member Leland Speed is donating a portion of the property that spurred charges of an ethics violation to Mississippi College. Speed told the Jackson Free Press this morning that he is donating his interest in a family-owned property that borders the Pearl River floodplain to quell any possible concerns over his ethics.
Family of Man Killed In Fire Wants Answers
Nearly two weeks after a fire destroyed a West Jackson warehouse, the Jackson Fire Department recovered the body of a homeless man in the collapsed structure. Now family members of the man, Jeremy Smith, want to know why it took investigators until Jan. 28 to discover that Smith died in the Jan. 17 fire. They say that Smith, 20, was apparently sleeping in the building at the corner of Capitol and Lemon streets.
Attorney: Hinds Elections Hiring Improper
The Hinds County Election Commission did not follow required hiring procedures when it issued a contract to a voting machine technician, county supervisors learned today.
Stopping the Swap
Hinds County's interest-rate swap won't always be the gift that keeps on giving. The fancy financial derivative deal has brought the county $4.4 million over four years thanks to historically low interest rates, county financial adviser Porter Bingham says. With the national economy on a glacially slow but eventual rise, though, the county may have the opportunity to end its swap with a profit, before interest rates begin climbing again in earnest.
Restaurant Openings, Sustainable Planning
Chip Matthews, owner of the nightclub Fire, wants to bring spice to downtown every day of the week. Matthews opened Fuego, a Mexican restaurant, in the former sports bar adjoining Fire on Aug. 4. Fuego serves a variety of Mexican dishes, including steak fajitas and huevos chorizo, from 11 a.m. until 2 a.m., all week.
Hinds County Mulls Inmate Medical Expenses
Hinds County is on track to outspend its budget for inmate medical expenses, county supervisors learned at a meeting this morning. Dan Gibson, the county's inmate medical facilitator, told supervisors that, six months into the fiscal year, the county has spent $1.3 million on medical care for prisoners, more than 50 percent of its annual inmate medical budget. Last year, inmate medical expenses were roughly $700,000 at this point.
Hayne Reviewing Hinds Autopsy
Steven Hayne may have built a name--and notoriety--for himself with prosecution-friendly autopsy testimony, but it was a defense request that may bring him into a Jackson murder case as an independent expert.
Hood Talks Damage Claims at Oil Spill Hearing
BP's Letter to House Speaker Billy McCoy
JPD Receives New Cars, Battles Burglaries
The Jackson Police Department will be distributing 53 new marked patrol vehicles to precincts beginning next week, Assistant Chief Lee Vance announced at a command staff meeting this morning, the largest single purchase of new vehicles he can remember. Vance instructed precinct commanders to begin developing ways to encourage responsible use and protection of the cars.
Barbour Suspends Scott Sisters' Sentences
cover story on the Scott sisters
Schools Waiting on $17M Reimbursements
State Medicaid officials are optimistic that a long-delayed program to help school districts with some of their administrative costs could begin reimbursing schools soon. Speaking at a budget hearing last week, representatives for the state Division of Medicaid last week said that federal approval for the reimbursement program is imminent.
Scott Colom
A new attorney with the Mississippi Center for Justice, Scott Colom will spend the next two years working to combat predatory payday lending in the state. Colom is the recipient of a prestigious Skadden Fellowship, which helps new law school graduates enter public-interest fields by paying their salary for two years.
Council To Vote on Bigger JPS Board
The City Council is set to vote tomorrow on an expansion of the Jackson Public Schools Board of Trustees from five to seven members. Proponents of the move argue that it will make the school board more accurately represent the city, with one member corresponding to each of the city's seven wards.
Panel Tweaks State Grading System for Schools
Mississippi's model for evaluating schools and school districts could change next year, if the state Board of Education approves changes recommended by a panel today. The state Commission on School Accreditation, which reviews the state's grading system for schools and school districts, voted today to recommend two changes to the state Board.
Supervisors Push Forward on Byram-Clinton Corridor
The Hinds County Board of Supervisors today approved taking another early step forward in the Byram-Clinton corridor road-construction project. Supervisors voted unanimously to advertise for engineering consulting services on the project, which Supervisor Peggy Calhoun called "vital to the future economic development of Hinds County."
Jackson Legislators Push Barbour on Water Bonds
Also see: Jackson Singled Out for Bond ‘Lobbying'
Advocates Criticize Consolidation Process
Next month, a panel appointed by Gov. Haley Barbour will deliver a report on the possibility of consolidating some of Mississippi's 152 school districts. Barbour tasked the Commission on Education Structure with investigating the feasibility of consolidation, not its efficacy. For some public school advocates, the panel's recommendation of mergers is a forgone conclusion.
Study Finds Disparities in Teacher Qualifications
Read the study (PDF)